St John’s College in Houghton has awarded the role of the senior mistress for transformation and diversity at the preparatory school to Duduzile Mashele.
Born in the West Rand and matriculating in Soweto, Mashele went on to obtain a Junior Primary Teacher’s Diploma from the Daveyton College of Education. She went on to study at the University of Johannesburg where she achieved an Advanced Certificate of Education and then a BEd (Hons) majoring in learning support.
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Mashele has been teaching at St John’s College for 13 years and has taught in three sections of the school – pre-preparatory, preparatory and college.
She is also the first black female house mistress at the school and has been in charge of the character education of the Darragh House boys, among many other responsibilities.
Mashele said, “My passion lies in teaching African languages and diversifying the minds of young boys. There is something profoundly special about teaching boys, as they are dynamic beings who are unapologetic about being boys.”
Spokesperson for the school, Jacqui Deeks said, “In her new role she will continue with her isiZulu teaching, but will take on additional responsibilities in line with the senior mistress title. This will entail speeding up the process of transforming the school to better reflect South Africa’s current reality.”
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Her new role will see her go back to basics and address issues of diversity in order to foster the appreciation and understanding of other cultures within the school.
Mashele said, “My first priority is to educate and to clarify any misconception about what people might perceive as outcomes of transformation and diversity. This means having open, honest and non-judgmental conversations with staff and parents, to get to know them and find out their fears, concerns, perceptions and ideas.”
Deeks added, “Part of her new role will entail being involved in the admissions process, the appointment of teachers and the intern programme, while also providing input into the development of the curriculum, character education and staff development.”
Mashele said she is excited about her new role and aims to afford everyone with an equal opportunity despite their background, race, ethnicity and gender.
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